World Aids Museum & Educational Center Launches the First South Florida Red Dress, Dress Red Gala

Hunters Nightclub named as the title sponsor

A new party tradition is heading south with the debut of World AIDS Museum and Educational Center’s Hunters Nightclub Red Dress, Dress Red Gala on February 4, 2023, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Design Center of the Americas (DCOTA) (1855 Griffin Road in Dania Beach). With a history of success in other major cities, this inaugural South Florida event will bring awareness to the HIV epidemic and raise funds for quality programming developed by the World AIDS Museum and Educational Center (WAM). Tickets are on sale, now.

“World AIDS Museum and Educational Center is excited to host our first signature fundraiser, the Red Dress, Dress Red Gala, which is a historic national dance party known for being an over-the-top evening of fantasy and fun to support HIV awareness,” said Terry Dyer, executive director of World AIDS Museum and Educational Center. “Red is loud, proud and a symbol of the strength and unity we seek to foster in our community to eradicate this deadly disease that still silently kills.”

The red theme sets the tone for this high-energy night of fun that leads up to Pride of the Americas 2023 in Fort Lauderdale. An actual dress is not required, but all are encouraged to wear something red and be dressed to impress. Guests will don everything from a red top hat and tails to red sequins and feathers as they dance the night away at DCOTA from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Floor-thumping tunes, an open bar, and complimentary valet parking make it a fabulous night for all attendees. A VIP ticket adds a level of indulgence with a 1.5-hour reception featuring entertainment by Broadway performer Anne Steele, local sensation LeNora Jaye, award-winning violinists Synergy Twins, and American Idol Season 10-star Matthew Darren. VIP guests will also have an opportunity to meet and greet RuPaul's Drag Race Season 6 star Trinity K. Bonet and enjoy complimentary beverages, hors d'oeuvres, DJ Ed, and more. All are invited to an official after-hours dance party at Hunters Nightclub.

All funds collected through ticket sales and corporate sponsorships up to $500K will be matched dollar-for-dollar by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF).

This event started as a promise kept by a gay male couple after they received HIV diagnoses. They each promised to wear red at funerals they attended, instead of the traditional black attire usually worn, to bring attention to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States. Since 2005, Red Dress Parties have become popularized in other larger cities such as Palm Springs, San Diego, Portland, Toronto, Seattle, and San Francisco to benefit HIV and LGBTQ-related organizations.

“Hunters Nightclub is proud to be the title sponsor of this themed dance party for a good cause,” said Mark Hunter, proprietor of Hunters Nightclub Wilton Manors and Palm Springs. “We applaud the outreach and education efforts created by WAM and understand the importance of having this global health challenge remain in the forefront of people’s hearts and minds.”

The World AIDS Museum and Educational Center‘s Hunters Nightclub Red Dress, Dress Red Gala is sponsored by AHF, Citrix, LeBoy/LIT Bar, Tito's Handmade Vodka, Midland/CAN Community Health, Florida Blue, FPL, HRC, Memorial Health System, G21 Fitness, Aaron’s Cremation and Funeral, RE/MAX, CycleBar Fort Lauderdale, SAVE, Spirit Airlines, Pub on the Drive, Pride of the Americas, Visit Lauderdale, CrowdSync Technologies, Flockfest, and Design Center of the Americas. Media sponsors include Lifestyle Media Group/SFBW, OutClique, SFGN, HotSpots! and It’s Happening Out.

Tickets for the highly anticipated event are $250 (VIP includes 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. special reception with an open bar sponsored by Tito’s Handmade Vodka, hors d'oeuvres, live entertainment, a private shuttle from Hunters to DCOTA, meet and greet with celebrities, and free valet parking) and $100 (general admission from 8 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. includes live entertainment, complimentary beverages, valet parking or self-parking), and are available to purchase at RDDRgala.eventbrite.com.

For more information about World AIDS Museum and Educational Center‘s Hunters Nightclub Red Dress, Dress Red Gala, call (954) 390-0550 or visit www.worldaidsmuseum.org

About World AIDS Museum and Educational Center

The World AIDS and Museum and Educational Center works to promote dialogue that eliminates HIV/AIDS stigma through education, artistic expression, and cultural programming. The organization was incorporated as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization in 2011, and the Museum facility opened to the public in May 2014. The organization provides prevention and education services to over 5,000 people per year in public and charter schools, community-based social services, detention facilities, and colleges and universities. The Museum includes a permanent exhibit, “The Chronology of HIV/AIDS,” and rotating smaller exhibits highlighting various aspects of the HIV epidemic worldwide. Special programs, including art exhibitions, films, and community dialogues, are offered throughout the year. For more information, call (954) 390-0550 or visit www.worldaidsmuseum.org.